Health care in western New South Wales is set for a change of direction.

The region's health district is today releasing its three year strategic plan, with the aim of reducing service duplication and improving care for patients.

The Chairman of the Western NSW Health District, Dr Robin Williams says the new strategic plan will benefit patients.

"The strategic plan is really looking at the whole of system approach, so we don't duplicate services; we don't waste money; so that we don't do something that other people are doing; and that we can identify gaps.

"To do that, we've got to really develop a coherent system of care from preventative and primary to secondary and tertiary.

"It's important to try and develop that as locally as possible, but we've got to make sure that the quality stays there as well."

Dr Williams says the new strategy will also aim to boost partnerships between other health care providers.

"What we've got to try and do is develop services in partnerships, and having partnerships with Aboriginal medical organisations and the Medicare Locals, as well as ourselves is the vital key component so that we do work together.

"We've got limited resources, all three organisations; we've got to make sure we get the maximum efficiency for our health dollar."

The new strategy aims to boost the emphasis on the patient when providing care.

"Improving the patient experience is another key area of the strategic health plan, and what we're trying to develop is a seamless service," says Dr Williams.

"Patients don't really care about who is providing the service, as long as they get the service.

"Our job is to make sure the patient is central to everything."

Dr Williams says other improvements are needed over the next three years, including a push to enhance health literacy and promote health prevention.

"If we can get that fundamental shift in our mentality going, then less people are going to get those chronic illnesses because we can deal with those major factors which are so important in the development of those illnesses."

One of the core priorities of the new strategic plan is to reduce duplication in the provision of services.

Dr Williams says there's also a need to bolster staff numbers and reduce a reliance on locums.

"Hopefully this tsunami of medical graduates which is just around the corner will see the benefits of coming to work and provide health care that is very satisfying," he says.

"If we can make this a fantastic place for people to want to come to work and give them the tools to do that, then obviously growing our own people to work will be great to help the bottom line.

"It's not about cutting services; it's about providing the right services in the right place at the right time."